Measurement of changes in dimensions of resorbing alveolar bone: description of a method

This study evaluated a cast-measuring device used to investigate effects of augmenting fresh extraction sockets with dense hydroxyapatite granules. Following reproducible location of the casts, alterations in ridge tracings were related to radiographically determined ridge height alterations. A randomised controlled study compared two groups of immediate complete denture wearers. One group received conventional immediate dentures, the other received immediate complete dentures after dense hydroxyapatite implantation into canine sockets. Ridge height alterations with time were recorded from radiographs. Alterations in ridge form were recorded from several models transferred reproducibly to a mounting jig attached to a profiling apparatus. Further, the osteo-retentive ability of the hydroxyapatite in the sockets was seen to be close to significance (after six months width differences, in the canine region: P = 0.059, LHS, and P = 0.065, RHS).